More than a few Fairview friends recently stepped up to show their support for the victims of Hurricane Harvey.

With all the news reports circulating about the devastation in Texas as a result of Hurricane Harvey, Fairview’s Brian Steakley and his girlfriend Katie Knalls decided to take some action and make a difference.

On the evening of August 30, Katie said, “Brian made a comment on a Facebook post that hinted he wanted to go. So I called him and asked if we were going to Texas? He said, ‘You want to?’ And I said, ‘Let's do it!’”

After they hung up the phone, they began posting on Facebook their plan to go and soliciting donations.

Their post read, “Hey y'all!! Brian and Matt Cochran are going to be loading up a 24-foot trailer and heading south for Texas Friday night! Let’s help fill this thing up. Basic needs, water, toiletries, diapers etc. Also cat and dog food. If your heart is in it, you may drop off items at 155 Petro Road in Kingston Springs.”

The post was shared numerous times among individuals and local civic groups with a important message, “Let’s pull together and show Tx that Tn is standing with them in their time of need.”

The duo also offered a Fairview drop-off and agreed to pick up items from anyone unable to reach the two designated drop-off locations.

Two short days later on September 1, Katie announced they were Texas bound!

In her post, she was super excited to share the news, “Our goal was to fill a 24' trailer... and in LESS than 48 hours, y'all made that happen! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you, to everyone who donated! Your hearts are the size of Texas, and we will make sure they know Tennessee is standing with them.”

The response was amazing and in less than 24 hours, the donations included 490 cans of wet dog food, 350 pounds of dry dog food, 100 pounds of dry cat food, three fully-stacked pallets of cases of water, 1,444 diapers, 4,644 wipes, 40-plus wash cloths and towels, a half pallet of medical supplies, and lots of canned goods.

“We had people bringing donations up until around 5 p.m. Friday night,” Katie said.

She added, “My faith in humanity has definitely been restored and my heart is so happy and proud of the community we live in.”

As they departed, many friends shared in their enthusiasm. Justin Ryan Petty posted, “This is what love for country looks like. Some will never know how great a feeling giving to people in need gives us inside. God bless all that gave what they could and God bless you guys for putting this together. Safe travels my friends.”

The traveled through Memphis, Mississippi, Louisiana and arrived in Beaumont, Texas, an hour outside of Houston early Saturday morning. However, they didn't reach their destination until after noon due to flooded roads and detours.

While gathering up the items and packing them required a little extra effort, it was a real challenge getting to the designated drop destination. There were many detours off of the main roads which were flooded. “Every way into where we were going was closed,” explained Katie.

They soon discovered the only way in was about a 2 hour wait then driving through about 18 inches of water. But all along the journey, Katie had faith, posting to social media, “We got this!”

Once all the items were delivered to Southeast Texas Food Bank, the Fairview crew was back on the road headed home.

“I just want to say what an amazing experience this has been. I hate so much that these people have suffered, but to be able to help and hear the stories, and for the people that live down here to hug us and thank us for coming....My heart is so so full right now,” expressed Katie.

Brian agreed, “Thank you will never be good enough to express our gratitude for helping us fulfill what we felt called to do.